Features | FloodSmart | FloodSmart Plus | FloodSmart Pro | FloodSmart Groundwater |
---|---|---|---|---|
Suitable for Flood Zone | 1 | 1, 2 and 3 | 1, 2 and 3 | |
Professional opinion from expert flood risk consultants | ||||
Consultation with regulators | ||||
Fast delivery time (working days)** | 5 | 10-30 | 10-30 | 5-10 |
Review of strategic flood risk assessment (SFRA) | ||||
Clear Flood mitigation and management options | ||||
£5 million PI | ||||
Supports Architects, Developers, Planning Consultants and the Legal Market | ||||
Environment Agency model data analysis | ||||
Flood levels | ||||
Environment Agency Flood Defences | ||||
Site Visit | ||||
GeoSmart Groundwater Flood Risk Map | ||||
Analysis of borehole logs | ||||
Review local groundwater data |
*1 Pricing based on site size & complexity. **2 Expedited turnarounds are available on request
Save when purchasing two or more reports at the same time with our Report Bundles!
2 Reports: Save 5%
3 Reports: Save 10%
A Flood Risk Assessment is required for any planning application where the site of the proposed development is located within Flood Zones 2 or 3 as defined by the Environment Agency. Such sites are considered to be at risk of flooding and the Environment Agency and local planning authorities have the power to challenge planning applications that have not taken into account all of the flood risks involved.
A Flood Risk Assessment is also mandatory for sites of 1 hectare or greater in Flood Zone 1, and for smaller sites in an area within Flood Zone 1 which has critical drainage problems, as notified to the local planning authority by the Environment Agency. For further information on the relationship between Flood Zones and Flood Risk Assessments, see our news item Flood Zones Explained.
A Flood Risk Assessment should demonstrate how a proposed development will manage flood risk from all possible water sources to the site in question. Changes in flood risk to off-site locations as a consequence of development should also be considered with recommendations provided to avoid increasing such risk.
If you live in England, your site will be located in a Flood Zone as defined by the Environment Agency for planning purposes, but many will be located in Flood Zone 1 with a low probability of flooding. To find out what Flood Zone your site is located in, input your postcode into the Environment Agency Flood Map.
A FloodSmart Report can be delivered in 5-10 working days. Delivery of reports requiring Environment Agency consultation and data (FloodSmart Plus and FloodSmart Pro) is dependent on the Environment Agency response times to supply data, which can take up to 20 working days.
Typically your report will be dispatched ten working days from receipt of the EA data. A premium delivery is available if your report is urgent – do get in touch and let us know. Your report will be sent in electronic format as a .pdf file straight to your inbox, with hard copies available at an additional cost.
Local planning authorities are likely to request a Flood Risk Assessment for any site which is situated on the modelled flood plain, and within the vicinity of a fluvial or tidal watercourse.
Flood Risk Assessments are also requested in areas of low fluvial or tidal flood risk if a proposed development is over one hectare in size and/or lies within a critical drainage area.
Different levels of flood risk assessment reports are required for different purposes. We’ve therefore developed a range of products which are suited to meet the various needs of our clients. If you’re not sure which level of report you need please contact us enquiries@geosmartinfo.co.uk.
We were asked to assess the potential significance of flood risk to land upon which a two house residential development was being proposed on a site formerly used as a battery hen farm in east Shropshire.
GeoSmart was instructed to undertake a FloodSmart Plus report on behalf of a client to assess the nature and potential significance of coastal flood risk to land upon which a group of residential houses was being proposed in Grimsby.
We were instructed on behalf of a client to assess the nature and potential significance of flood risk to land near the River Thames, upon which a new residential dwelling was being proposed.
For further information see our knowledge hub